MLB Player News

Suarez elected free agency Thursday after clearing outright waivers.

Suarez is off the 40-man roster in St. Louis and will head to the open market. The 31-year-old southpaw gave up 27 runs -- 22 earned -- over 27.2 innings of relief with the Cardinals in 2023.

Lawrence cleared outright waivers Thursday and elected to become a free agent.

Lawrence struggled to a 6.59 ERA in 27.1 innings of relief this season with the Cardinals. The 35-year-old right-hander will likely have to settle for a minor-league contract if he wants to continue his playing career.

Hearn cleared outright waivers Thursday and elected to become a free agent.

Hearn is off the 40-man roster in Kansas City and will head to the open market. The 29-year-old left-hander was lit up for 19 earned runs over 15 major-league innings this season while bouncing between three different organizations.

Atlanta signed Johnson to a two-year, $14.25 million contract extension Wednesday.

Johnson will make $7 million in both 2024 and 2025, and the new deal also includes a $7 million club option (or $250,000 buyout) for 2026. The 32-year-old right-hander was acquired from the Rockies this past July and went on to deliver a 0.76 ERA and 32:5 K:BB over his final 23.2 regular-season innings with the NL East champions. He then carried that over into the playoffs, logging three scoreless relief appearances in the best-of-five NLDS against the Phillies.

Houston claimed Ortega (back) off waivers from the Twins on Wednesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Ortega will remain on the 60-day injured list for now as he recovers from the left lumbar strain that he suffered in late August. The 27-year-old reliever owns a career 4.03 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 51:27 K:BB in 58 total innings of work at the major-league level.

Davidson was claimed off waivers by the Orioles on Wednesday.

It would appear the Royals didn't plan to tender Davidson a contract and instead tried to outright him, but the Orioles have scooped him up. The left-hander made 38 appearances (one start) between the Angels and Royals in 2023, collecting a 5.96 ERA and 46:19 K:BB over 51.1 innings. Davidson has plenty of past starting experience, but it's not clear at this point what role Baltimore has envisioned for him.

Thompson pitched 1.1 perfect innings en route to a win in Tuesday's 4-2 victory over the Phillies in Game 7 of the NLCS.

Thompson was summoned into the game in the fifth inning with Kyle Schwarber in scoring position at second base, but he managed to escape the jam and pitch a clean sixth. Thompson's high ground ball rate, which accounted for 61.2 percent of balls in play against him in 30.2 regular-season innings, allows him to pitch to contact and helps to generate perfect outings like Tuesday's performance. So far this postseason, Thompson has a 2.53 ERA and 1.22 WHIP across 10.2 innings with eight strikeouts.

Sewald pitched a perfect inning to close out the game in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Phillies in Game 7 of the NLCS.

Sewald has yet to give up a run in the playoffs this year, putting together a dominant run of six saves in as many opportunities. The right-hander generated flyouts on all three outs as the Phillies were likely attempting to make any kind of contact to spare elimination. The 33-year-old closer will now have the opportunity to prepare for his first World Series. He has pitched to a 0.50 WHIP across eight scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts this postseason.

Nittoli elected to become a free agent Tuesday.

Nittoli spent the large majority of the 2023 season at the Triple-A level and posted an underwhelming 4.64 ERA in 42.2 innings between the International League affiliates of the Cubs and Mets. He turns 33 years old in November and has made only six career appearances in the majors.

Oakland claimed Kay off waivers from the Mets on Tuesday.

Kay was pushed off the Mets' 40-man roster last week after struggling to a 6.14 ERA and 11:9 K:BB over 14.2 major-league innings in 2023. The 28-year-old left-hander will look to earn a spot in the Athletics' bullpen next spring.